The Capiz State University (CAPSU) Roxas City Main Campus marked its 108th Founding Anniversary and Teachers and Employees Appreciation Day on October 15, 2025, at the Dadivas Gymnasium. The day was filled with gratitude, reflection, and pride as the community celebrated more than a century of shaping lives through education and service.
The celebration opened with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel C. Abelarde, who offered prayers of thanks for the university’s enduring legacy and the people who have carried its vision across generations.
CAPSU’s story stretches back to the early 1900s when it began as the Capiz Trade School, an institution built to teach skills and crafts to the youth of Capiz. Through the years, it evolved into the Capiz School of Arts and Trades, and in 1969, it became the Capiz Institute of Technology (CIT) through Republic Act No. 5711. Its emphasis on technical and vocational education helped build the foundations of innovation and practical learning that the university still upholds today. In 2004, Republic Act No. 9273 unified CIT and its allied campuses under one name, Capiz State University, ushering in a new era of excellence and service.
In her opening message, Dr. Mary Ann B. Martelino, Vice President for Administration and Finance, reflected on this journey of growth and resilience. “We’re proud of the values we’ve built: excellence, innovation, and service to the community. Let’s take pride in our achievements, recognize the outstanding contributions of our members, and foster a sense of belonging among our students, faculty, and alumni,” she said.
One of the most heartfelt moments of the celebration was the recognition of long-serving employees and faculty members from the Roxas City Main Campus and the Central Administration Office. The awarding was facilitated by Mrs. Myleen C. Abelarde, Supervising Administrative Officer for Human Resource Management, Dr. Cleo Jude A. Joaquin, Roxas City Main Campus Focal Person, and Dr. Martelino.
Prof. Lagrimas S. Trinidad, a faculty member with 35 years of dedicated service, spoke on behalf of the awardees. “Today’s recognition reminds us that true service is not measured by years alone, but by the passion we put into every day. Whether we’ve served for ten years or forty, what binds us all is our shared purpose to educate, to nurture, and to serve with heart,” she shared.
Dr. Elnora T. Lariza, Supervising Administrative Officer for Records at the Central Administration, also expressed her gratitude. “This award validates our commitment to excellence and our belief in the power of what we can do. It symbolizes not just recognition of our undying service but also the resilience, hard work, and determination that characterize each one of us,” she said.
The celebration ended on a high note with a serenade to teachers by Mr. Franz Ignas Bofill, an international singing competition winner and member of the world-renowned CAPSU Main Chorale. Students also presented tokens of appreciation to their teachers, a touching gesture that reflected the community’s gratitude for their mentors.
As CAPSU Roxas City Main Campus turns 108, its story continues to be written by the hands and hearts of those who teach, serve, and dream within its halls. From its humble beginnings as a trade school to a thriving state university, CAPSU remains a beacon of learning, resilience, and service to the people of Capiz and beyond.
| via Frederick D. Almeida and Ralph Gerard M. Cadiz, CAPSU-PIO, Reviewed by Christian George F. Acevedo, Public Relations Director